Mansfield V Rochdale at One Call Stadium : Match Preview

11 April 2014 08:01

James Jennings comes back into the reckoning for Mansfield as they prepare to host League Two leaders Rochdale in what will be the club's 5,000th game.

Jennings is available again after serving a two-match ban, although Anthony Howell misses out once more as he completes his suspension.

Lee Beevers will also be absent after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Morecambe last weekend. The defender will undergo an operation on Friday and probably miss the remainder of the season.

However, some good news for Stags boss Paul Cox is that Ben Hutchinson is making a faster-than-expected recovery from the hamstring injury that was expected to end his campaign. He could be back for the Good Friday game at Accrington next week.

Rochdale's leading goalscorer Scott Hogan is hoping to make his first start since early March.

The 19-goal striker had been sidelined for six matches due to a knee injury before stepping off the bench for the final half-an-hour of last week's goalless draw against York.

Hogan had no adverse reaction and manager Keith Hill, who has no new injury or suspension worries, must decide whether to recall him to the starting line-up or keep faith with Joe Bunney. Fellow forward George Donnelly is also in contention.

Hill believes his side, top of the table on goal difference, require two more wins to guarantee themselves automatic promotion.